River Island on the verge of collapse.....

Markd518

Just seen River Island on the verge of collapse will it follow the fate of New Look in Ireland? Thoughts?

https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/07/river-island-at-risk/

timmyntc

Fast fashion has shifted from brick and mortar to online, with the likes of temu and shein eating everyone elses lunch.

Unless you offer quality (or perceived quality), Chinese cheap tat will undermine your business model.

z80CPU

River Island's target market is at those with suitable disposable income much like Gift Shops, as the 2 story gift shop opposite Stephens green. And there's a prolonged recessionary period. The River Island business model won't work outside the likes of Grafton Street anymore, and there are more interesting bricks and mortar stores in Grafton Street now like LEGO ( there's a thriving adult market ).

JVince

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123665815#Comment_123665815

absolutely nothing to do with the target market itself, its simply that "River Island" is not a place their target market wants to shop.

This happens time and time again in the fashion industry and far too many names try to hang on and try and change, but it rarely works. Next are probably the exception.

Teens simply do not shop where their mum / dad used to shop. So a teen/young adult retail fascia has a shelf life of 10-15 years before it starts becoming stale.

I really can't see RI surviving much longer (6-12 months) even if the restructuring gets approval. I certainly would not be buying their gift cards

Markd518

Very true, I see it looks like landlords are going to vote against their restructure in the uk which could mean it could fall into administration in the uk and possibly liquidation here depending on court ruling all will be revealed Friday either way as you say I don't see it lasting long term

Archeron

I never got river island, I'm of the age that I would have been in their target market in the day, multiple times went into browse, and always found their stuff a little bit strange, so never made a purchase. I do have one river island jacket but I bought it in a charity shop.

Not surprised to hear this.

I'm saying that I have the fashion sense of a lamp post.

Mrs OBumble

I've looked at their job ads for a friend: they call their people Islanders, an expectvthem to uphold British values.

Surprises me that they can even get staff here.

The J Stands for Jay

TBH, I'm expecting all the UK clothes shops in Ireland to collapse, of they haven't already. They were all in a bad way before brexit, and things are just getting worse for them.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123684204#Comment_123684204

No fashion sense here either but their suits had a really nice cut. Always found suits in proper suit shops and tailors to be very antiquated looking. Like something a pinstripe gangster would wear.

I buy a suit about once every 10 years so I won't be keeping them in business either.

Burt Renaults

Nice t-shirts, but the design is always on the back. Never the front. They always look like they're on the wrong way around. For that reason - and that alone - good riddance.

JVince

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123684244#Comment_123684244

There are very few "UK" retailers - even in the UK.

Inditex (Zara) and H&M have several fascia's that are in most UK & Ireland shopping centres and neither are UK owned.

Of the large retailers, Frasers (Sports direct, Frasers, USC and several others), Next, John Lewis & M&S are all UK stores and all are doing very well. Excluding these, I think a Liffey Valley only has 3 retailers that would be considered UK stores.

But certainly on River Island - if you have a gift card, spend it now.

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123684242#Comment_123684242

Can confirm the "Islanders" thing. My sister was a manager in one of their UK stores.

Markd518

Definitely would be spending a gift card quick if I had one !

https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/07/river-island-restructuring/

The J Stands for Jay

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123689199#Comment_123689199

You must have missed the issues those UK companies have been having

JVince

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123692483#Comment_123692483

Next, John Lewis and M&S are all doing superbly at present.

Yep, M&S had a cyber attack issue, but that's a singular issue that has affect for a short period. The underlying strength of M&S is exceptional and share price has more than doubled in the past 3 years.

Next is a powerhouse.

John Lewis is seeing strong growth last year and this year after a few years of stagnation.

The J Stands for Jay

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123693215#Comment_123693215

John Lewis which doesn't operate in Ireland

Next which late last year was saying it would have to close shops if an equal pay claim was upheld.

M&S have just been doing ok for the last 2 years, following 20 years of problems. They're also worried about the potential effects of an increase in minimum wage. None of this would inspire much confidence.

JVince

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123694121#Comment_123694121

I suggest you check the financials of M&S and Next.

I'm over 40 years in retail. Have director level experience in UK retail and keep very well abreast of the market.

Whilst many UK retailers are now gone, most of those remaining are in good health.

River Island is one that isn't

Markd518

River Island Restructuring was approved by the courts today. Stores in Ireland look safe for now.

Claires Accessories looks to be at risk now bankrupt in the us

Strumms

Used to go in there religiously in my teens and early twenties…haven’t set foot in a RI store in years, not because I had a problem per say but just found over time other retailers with more favourable / fashionable styles, better quality clothes and also none of their 3 stores in Dublin are anywhere near me. In fact all a bit of a trek.

babyducklings1

Online is taking more and more business from high street shops, ones like shein, Temu etc. The thing is these high street shops are for a younger cohort and maybe they just can’t afford this stuff anymore. The younger crew are also swopping clothes more , borrowing from a friend for an occasion or buying and reselling online. This new generation are much more money savvy they have to be. Different times!

Markd518

Definitely more people shopping online. When you look at Zara, Bershka etc they do very well in their stores. Think the likes of River Island didn't keep up with the time and got very expensive same as New look

JP Liz V1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123665484#Comment_123665484

Temu even have RI tees